Flypast marks 70th anniversary of Dambuster raid

Seventy years after the Dambusters took off on their daring raid over Germany,
RAF Scampton once again echoed to the thunder of a Lancaster bomber, as a
flypast was held at the base to mark the anniversary of the mission.

The damaged Mohne Dam in the Ruhr Valley after the RAF Dam Busters raidPhoto: Alamy

By Jasper Copping

12:28AM BST 17 May 2013

The aircraft was accompanied by two Spitfires, from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, and two GR4 Tornado jets, flown by the current 617 "Dambusters" Squadron.

The aircraft all landed at the base, near Lincoln, and a "sunset ceremony" was held in front of the bomber to commemorate the raid.

A crowd of more than 400 invited guests had gathered there, including two of the three surviving airmen from the raid, George 'Johnny' Johnson and Les Munro, as well as Mary Stopes-Roe, daughter of Barnes Wallis, who created the bomb used to attack the dams.

Mr Johnson said: "It is a great thrill to be back, particularly on the anniversary of the day. It is the sort of thing that should be remembered for a long time."

Mr Munro said: "I am genuinely surprised by the frenzy around the anniversary. I remember the 60th anniversary and there was barely a murmur. I don't know what is behind it."